Overview

The Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Officer at Northumberland FA plays a vital role in advancing the principles of inclusion across grassroots football within the region. This position aligns with The FA Grassroots Football Strategy and the Northumberland FA Business Strategy, ensuring our organisation reflects and represents the diversity of our local communities.

The EDI Officer will lead on delivering our standalone inclusion strategy, 100% Inclusive, and drive progress on our Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan. This includes fostering a more inclusive culture internally and externally, managing relationships with key stakeholders, and embedding The FA's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Framework.

Working closely with the Northumberland FA Inclusion Advisory Board, the EDI Officer will coordinate efforts to enhance diversity and inclusion initiatives, provide expert guidance, and implement training programs. The role also involves promoting and developing disability football opportunities, supporting grassroots participants, and ensuring compliance with safeguarding standards.

Job Purpose

To support delivery of The FA Grassroots Football Strategy and the Northumberland FA Business Strategy.

To ensure the Northumberland FA is reflective and representative of the County demographics.

To strategically co-ordinate the Northumberland FA Inclusion Advisory Board.

To strategically coordinate disability football provision across the Northumberland FA and the local area.

To further develop and deliver the commitments made in 100% Inclusive, our organisation’s standalone Inclusion strategy.

To develop and progress the Northumberland FA Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan and embed the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Framework.

To contribute to the effective implementation of The FA’s Safeguarding 365 Standard for County FAs.

To support the adoption of FA technology systems across grassroots football.

To comply with FA rules, regulations, policies, procedures and guidance that are in place from time to time.

Responsibilities

Represent Northumberland FA with internal and external stakeholders, campaigners and networking groups, positively engaging and informing on diversity and inclusion targets and activities.

Work with staff across all departments and to support in the delivery of diversity and inclusion targets and in creating a more inclusive culture across the Northumberland FA.

Work with the Northumberland FA Inclusion Advisory Board to consult on plans and engage to provide advocates and guidance for diversity and inclusion activities.

Continue to develop, monitor and enhance Northumberland FA’s diversity and inclusion action plan, review and report on published targets and activities.

Deliver ‘100% Inclusive’ operationally, including our ‘Careers in Football’ project and our ‘Grassboots’ kit and boot recycling scheme.

Support the senior management team by taking an active role in ensuring that we adhere to any relevant regulatory standards.

Identify relevant external network groups and develop the Northumberland FA brand through proactive engagement and membership, building the brand as a serious option for diverse candidates.

Maintain our membership of existing diversity networks, taking a lead role in fostering positive relationships with a particular focus on the areas we represent.

Monitor and report on our internal ED&I data, taking ownership of annual equality monitoring reviews, identifying strengths and areas of development.

Source and deliver appropriate training to support the board, executive and wider grassroots football participants to develop and maintain ED&I competencies.

Provide expertise and guidance on all diversity and inclusion matters, including handling of discrimination complaints.

Establish constructive working relationships with the key stakeholders and develop regular contact to promote collaboration and sharing of good practice.

Identify sources of funding that will be of benefit to key stakeholders and provide advice and guidance to applicants.

Work collaboratively through local strategic networks within the community to support the growth and retention of both team-based and sessional-based playing opportunities for disabled players.

Lead on the growth and development of existing and new leagues and competitions for disability teams across all ages and formats of the game.

Collaborate with the Designated Safeguarding Officer in all matters involving under-18s and adults at risk within diversity and inclusion football development programmes.

Support messaging so that under-18s and adults at risk in youth and open-age adult grassroots football know how to report concerns about their wellbeing.

Recognise the additional vulnerability of some groups of children and young people e.g. those with disabilities; from historically under-represented communities; those who identify as LGBT.

Provide the highest level of customer excellence to support volunteers across all FA Technology.

Recruit, support and develop diverse coaches through The FA qualification framework.

Work with the Referee Development Officer to recruit, retain and develop diverse referees.

Contribute to ensuring that safeguarding and equality are embedded throughout the Northumberland FA and grassroots football.

To ensure good practice examples of work are evidenced, promoted, and reported on.

Execute tasks as required to meet the Northumberland FA changing priorities.

If you are committed to making a positive impact through diversity initiatives and possess the required skills, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

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